Month: May 2013

For those of you who still have not grabbed some modular stuff but want in on the sounds Izotope has released a Sound Library called Modular for Iris. Iris is on my list of interesting plug-ins to get when I have the chance. This library has 600 samples and 300 patches for $34 USD.

“From the vintage classic, the ARP 2600, to modern Cartesian sequencing, the Modular sound library stems from a wide range of both musical and chaotic sources. Start experimenting and you’ll find that any Modular patch could inspire your next track, from pulsing tones to lush effects to glitchy rhythmic syncopations to fat bass sounds.” – izotope.com

I really like this new Max 4 Live Device Spectrum Sampler. It’s great for breakdowns, into/outros or the basis for an entire track. I remember when it would take half a day to create glitch results like this. Mac or PC for 4 Euros.

“Spectrum Sampler is a Max for Live device which samples and holds spectral components of the incoming signal. It can create inharmonic resonances, artifacts, dusty noises, drones, gliding sounds: a wide palette of amazing noises.” – amazingnoises.com

DevoBots is new synth a robot maker app from Devo. Crack that whip. Give the past a slip. Step on a crack. Break your momma’s back. .99 and available now.

“DEVOBOTS is an upcoming DEVO-authorized iOS app that is a combination robot maker and synthesizer. Users will be able to create their own DEVO-inspired robot characters from a library of 10,000 robot parts. The designs can be applied to apparel, posters, and other merchandise. The synthesizer app will allow users to create their own music from sounds taken from the DEVO archives.” – laughingsquid.com

Madeleine at Sonic Bloom has posted 6 beautiful Ableton Live 9 Skins that are free to download. Red for while making a love song. Black for on stage!

“I’ve created 6 new skins for Ableton Live that you can download for free. They work well with Live 9 and also previous versions. This set of skins adds more dashes of colour than the last one, but without being too shrill. Enjoy!” – Madeleine

There is an interesting Mixcloud show you may want to start following called The Notorious New Wave Show (link). Instead of a DJ mix it’s more like a proper radio show with the host Gina Achord announcing the song titles and artists. I really like her track selection.

“Tonight we have the exclusive track from Isaac Junkie featuring Glenn Gregory of Heaven 17. You will be hearing it here first tonight! We have a new Visage track, and our double shot week- which is a play of two songs by each new artist so you can be exposed to new music with some great bands. And count them, two new songs from the new B.E.F CD Dark and we’ll continue to do a new track each week until the release of the cd on May 27th. Some of the new bands we’ll be playing tonight are No Longer Neon, Analog Angel, Vile Electrodes, Low Tide Theory, and tons more!” – Gina Achord

An interesting look at having in-ears created. Living in NYC I want anything that shuts out the outside world.

“Jude from Head-Fi and Mike from Ultimate Ears have stepped in to outfit her with a pair of custom earbuds! Of course, there’s a whole process involved with having these made… starting with custom ear molds.” – Tekzilla

Last night I went to Control in Williamsburg, Brooklyn to see Dan Snazelle demo his SnazzyFX Eurorack modules. Of all the demos I’ve seen so far this was the best. He’s really into it and spent a solid two hours showing how to use is stuff in musical contexts. After seeing it in action I know I really want a Chaos Brother. It creates random gates and more but in a really useful way. He had it hooked up to a DPO’s strike with some Tiptop drum modules as a back beat and it was instant Berghain (infamous Berlin nightclub). The Dreamboat was similar but faster and more chaotic. The Dronebank is a simple module designed solely to make drones. It’s six triangle oscillators and in person it’s quite wantable. Wow & Flutter mutates your incoming signal sort of like tape. Lastly there’s the Ardcore module. This module is a chameleon which loads programs via USB. There are about 60 to choose from right now. You can have things such as a bit-crusher, arpeggiator and even a drum machine. Dan mentioned he will be doing a run of modules with “normal” faceplates later this summer. As usual Daren & Jonas (the owners of Control) were great hosts. If you’re in the NY area you really owe it to yourself to visit.

“The Chaos Brother is a new modulation module full of enough options and knobs to keep it interesting no matter where you decide to use it. It all starts with the CHAOS knob, when turned all the way to the left, you get repetitive, tame oscillations like you would find in a basic LFO. Start turning the knob to the right and the Chaos ensues.” – snazzyfx.com

Dan from SnazzyFX will be demoing his Eurorack Modules tonight at Control (416 Lorimer St. Brooklyn, NY 11206). I am pretty interested in what these modules can do. Bring some beer and see you there! 6-8PM

“Our second spring event begins tomorrow night with Dan Snazelle of Snazzy FX. He will be discussing his current and future line of modules and effects.” – ctrl-mod.com

Sound of Science have released their first synthpop single Hydrodome. This is Tom Carpenter and Jason Huffman band. Tom as you know is the man who creates the Analogue Solutions synthesizers. He has some great remixers on this single: Daniel Myer (Haujobb), John von Ahlen, Northern Kind and Julian Beeston. The next Sound of Science single will feature someone all Wire to the Ear readers know well so stay tuned.